Used and loved by millions
Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
recipient of an action
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "recipient of an action" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts discussing grammar, linguistics, or any situation where you want to identify who is affected by an action. Example: "In the sentence 'The dog chased the cat,' the cat is the recipient of the action."
✓ Grammatically correct
Science
News & Media
Academia
Alternative expressions(2)
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
60 human-written examples
." Since whom is an object and not a subject, it is impossible for whom to do anything about this matter; he or she is merely a recipient of action, not an actor.
News & Media
Urrutia is a recipient of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), a renewable, two-year protection from deportation for undocumented immigrants who came to the country as children.
News & Media
But he is a recipient of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), a form of deportation relief President Barack Obama created via executive action in 2012 to protect undocumented people brought to America as children.
News & Media
He was an Angier B. Duke Scholar and the recipient of a Humanity in Action Fellowship.
Academia
Patients with damage in left inferior frontal regions made greater numbers of reverse role errors primarily in the passive sentences, suggesting that they had difficulty determining the agent and recipient of the action in the sentences; a distinction that is made in semantically reversible sentences on the basis of syntactic information.
Science
Though sacrificial rituals are very complex and diverse throughout the world, nevertheless, they can be divided into two classes: those in which the participant or participants receive the benefit of the sacrificial act and those in which an object is the direct recipient of the action.
Encyclopedias
R.C. is a recipient of DAAD (Procope action and mobility scholarship) and a member of the IP@Leibniz programme, which is supported by LU Hanover.
Science & Research
Here, the subject is the recipient of the action: Dr. Seuss is adored.
News & Media
In the middle voice the subject may or may not be the agent; the focus is on the action affecting the subject, whereas the passive voice focuses on the recipient of the action.
Encyclopedias
For example, in 'Plato is being taught,'Platoto' refers to the recipient of the action of teaching, and therefore accounts for the tenth category, passion [pati].
Science
If we say that someone lives a very "disciplined life," we mean something entirely different from when we say that the person is to be the recipient of "disciplinary action".
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Use "recipient of an action" when you need to specifically highlight the individual or entity that is directly affected by a particular action, especially in contexts where the action and its impact are central to the discussion.
Common error
Avoid using "recipient of an action" in casual conversation or informal writing. Simpler alternatives like "affected by" or "target of" often sound more natural in less formal settings.
Source & Trust
78%
Authority and reliability
4.1/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "recipient of an action" functions primarily as a noun phrase, identifying the entity that receives or is subjected to an action. Ludwig's analysis suggests this is a grammatically sound and understandable phrase.
Frequent in
Science
33%
News & Media
33%
Academia
34%
Less common in
Encyclopedias
0%
Wiki
0%
Formal & Business
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, the phrase "recipient of an action" precisely identifies the entity undergoing an action and is grammatically correct according to Ludwig. While it is more common in formal, scientific, and news-related contexts, simpler alternatives may be more appropriate for informal use. The phrase's purpose is to clearly designate the entity affected by a specific action, emphasizing precision. Knowing when and how to use "recipient of an action" will enhance clarity in various forms of writing, particularly in contexts requiring accurate descriptions of cause and effect.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
Receiver of the action
A more direct and literal synonym.
Object of an action
Focuses on the grammatical role rather than the person or thing receiving the action.
Target of an action
Emphasizes the direction of the action towards a specific target.
Subjected to an action
Highlights the passive experience of undergoing an action.
Affected by an action
Broadly indicates being influenced or changed by an action.
Impacted by an action
Similar to 'affected by', but often implies a stronger or more significant effect.
The one acted upon
Highlights the passive nature of the entity being acted upon.
At the receiving end of an action
More descriptive and emphasizes the position of receiving the action.
Beneficiary of an action
Specifically refers to someone who gains a benefit from the action.
Sufferer of an action
Specifically refers to someone who experiences negative consequences from the action.
FAQs
How to use "recipient of an action" in a sentence?
You can use "recipient of an action" to specify who or what is affected by a particular deed. For example, 'In passive voice sentences, the subject is often the "recipient of an action"'.
What can I say instead of "recipient of an action"?
You can use alternatives like "object of an action", "target of an action", or "affected by an action" depending on the context.
Which is correct, "recipient of an action" or "actor of an action"?
"Recipient of an action" is correct when referring to the one being acted upon. "Actor of an action" refers to the one performing the action.
What's the difference between "recipient of an action" and "affected by an action"?
"Recipient of an action" specifically indicates the direct receiver of the action, while "affected by an action" is broader and can include indirect effects. For example, someone could be indirectly "affected by an action" without being the direct "recipient of an action".
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
78%
Authority and reliability
4.1/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested